“Glands along edge of floral bud bracts”

This is “Passiflora vitifolia” (“Passion vine,” “Passionvine,” “Crimson Passion Flower,” “Grape-Leaved Passion fruit”) again —
» http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-11-14
» http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-03-25

I have a similar, recent image in PhytoImages, http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Passifloraceae_Passiflora_vitifolia_93256.html
The PhytoImages caption is “Glands along edge of floral bud bracts.” So, aha!, the red “leaves” in this image are, in fact, “bracts” (specialized leaves), rather than “petals.”

I asked Rich and Karen what these glands would be secreting and the answer is “probably nectar,” even though the flower isn’t open yet.

Species page at PhytoImages, http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Passiflora_vitifolia&rank=binomial

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

1 year ago (“Impatiens hybrid: ‘Fusion Radiance’”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-11-18
2 years ago (“A one-frame day”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-11-18
3 years ago (“I saved this only for 365…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-11-18

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